Why the Music of the Temple Was Successful part 1

Why the Music of the Temple Was Successful part 1 

THE MUSICIANS WERE PREPARED MUSICALLY.

            There are several reasons as to why the music of the Temple was so successful.  First, the Levite musicians were trained musically.  As was just mentioned, I Chronicles 15:22 states that Chenaniah was trained, “And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song:  he instructed (yacar 3256) about the song, because he was skillful (995)” He became "chief" and was able to instruct because he was an accomplished musician.  The concept of musical skill is mentioned in several other places in the Old Testament.  I Samuel 16:18 explains that David was a cunning (3045) player (5059).  As a matter of fact Saul's request in verse seventeen was, "Provide me now a man that can play (5059) well (3190) and bring him to me."  I Chronicles 25:7 states, "So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed (lamad 3925) in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning (biyn 995) was two hundred four score and eight."  II Chronicles 34:12 mentions the Levites ". . . that could skill (995) of instruments of musick."  Finally Psalm 137:5 states ". . . let my right hand forget her cunning (chashab 2803)."

            Since all of these words carry the sense of quality and the ability to perform well and understand music thoroughly we know that there was no substitute for musical training in the Old Testament.  As a matter of fact, the same concept was carried over in New Testament times.  I Corinthians 14:15 states, "I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding (nous 3562) also."  We learned earlier that the Greek word nous means with the intellect or the mind.  Since it is a Biblical principle, and since we are living in a highly educated society today, our music ministers in the church must have an intellectual knowledge of music and its elements.